Samsung has breached 1.2 Gbps downloads with its latest LTE modem. The new radio is intended for Samsung's next-generation Exynos mobile processor and is the first to support six carrier aggregation (6CA), according to the company. Carrier aggregation involves using multiple spectrum bands to send data upstream and downstream. The Cat 18 6CA modem includes 4x4 MIMO and higher-order 256 QAM to tap into the high speeds available from technologies such as LTE-LAA. The new modem from Samsung is 20% faster than the one found in the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+. Samsung expects to see the new modem reaching volume production by the end of the year. Samsung didn't provide specifics about the next-generation Exynos processor with which the modem will be paired. Many of today's wireless network operators are looking at LTE-LAA and LTE-U to bridge the gap between LTE 4G and what will eventually be 5G.


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